Self-esteem and autonomic physiology: parallels between self-esteem and cardiac vagal tone as buffers of threat.
In this article a potential physiological connection to self-esteem is suggested: cardiac vagal tone, the degree of influence on the heart by the vagus, a primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system. This hypothesis emerges from parallels between the two literatures that suggest both self-esteem and cardiac vagal tone function to provide protection from threat responding. This article reviews these literatures and evidence and preliminary findings that suggest in some contexts self-esteem and cardiac vagal tone may exert an influence on each other. Last, the article discusses theoretical and applied health implications of this potential physiological connection to self-esteem.
Martens
Andy
A
University of Canterbury, Psychology Department, Christchurch, New Zealand. andy.martens@canterbury.ac.nz
Greenberg
Jeff
J
Allen
John J B
JJ
D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*